just got back from Amristar. Amristar is the most sacred city of the Sieks(spelling). The sieks, if i am not wrong, is a religion that is kind of like a combination of muslim and hindu. I had heard about this place, and was told by a lot of people that i should go there. I went with my new husband, David from Iran. Oh ya, I broke up with Jonathan when i got to Dharamsala, and then took a new husband when i left. We deided that we were on 'honey moon.' just joking you know...but David was a good travel buddy for a day...open minded and always looking at life with open eyes you know... So for a mental image.. Imagine a Golden Temple that is situalted in a lake that is linned in marble and filled with Koy and Cat Fish...the entire temple inside and out is covered in gold and polished brass...the inside is painted with colorfull flower motifs, and gold lining everything...all the while, this temple and lake are surounded by a open air Marble building. the breeze that floats through this place, is fresh and cool... Looking at the marble lake, you see men in bathing and praying in the water...Colorfull woman in Sarris and men in Turbans line the marble walkways...Then in the midst of this feeling of siltude and peace, the soft melody of Punjabi musicians is filling the air, as they sing ancient tunes in celbration of thier faith...of their life... of their God. Out of all of the places i have been to so fare, this one had the Purest essence to it. David and I just sat in the temple and chilled out for the longerst time, no talking or chatting, just feeling the cool breeze and taking in the music and the vibes. The muscians were so beautful that i could not stop stairing at them. The groud floor was really crouded, but i did not care, walk around me if you must...i am fasinated by the melody of voices singing and the sound of the drum keeping the beat. I bought a couple of tapes right before i jumped on the bus back to Dharamsala, so if you want to hear, jut ask when i get home... We ended up getting a room in the Temple complex! this place feeds about 3,000 people a day ...and then rooms a couple humdered a night. So we got a room...and the sence of peace just was everywhere..from walking to the shower...so simple staning in the court yard outside of my room. I can still feel it with me... Wow, Amristar...what a great place. Now tomarrow I am off to the Tenzin Pakmo Nunnery. You must read the book "Cave in the Snow," it is her Autobiography. Basically, at 21, in the 60's, she followed her heart all the way to India...there she became to second western woman to become a Tibetan Nun, and then later in her life, she spent 12 years in a cave meditating... Now it is her goal that she will be Reincanated as a woman tell she becomes 'Enlightened," so that woman on the spiritual path will have someone to look up. I meet some Western Nuns the other day, they have been nuns sence 1975... We talked about womans role in Buddhism, and the challenges they face. You know...it really is a different world over here. Woman are not treated the same...even in an accepting religion like Buddhsim. So for there to be someone like Tenzin Palmo, it is just very encouraging. I remember being at the first Monistary I stayed at...and just being sooo dishearted at how there are so little resources and role models for women who are practicing. So, i leave tomarrow and have a cahnce to spend some time with her Saturday..I will let you know how it goes ;) okay, very tired, it is late, andi leave in the morning... Will check back soon with some more good stories.. love you all, hope you are healthy and happy in life... much love and peace to you, martha